| | Accession Number | 5003440 |
| | Title | The hormonal control and the effects of endocrine-active contaminants on avian |
| | secondary sex characteristics |
| | Project Description | Measuring the effects of endocrine-active chemicals (EACs) on wildlife is a challenge that is made |
| | complicated by the complexity of the endocrine system and the wide variety of reproductive |
| | patterns seen in nature. Biomarkers with some utility in the field to assess the effects of exposure |
| | to EACs will be an important tool for the wildlife biologist to evaluate the impact of these |
| | compounds on populations under their management. Morphological secondary sexual |
| | characteristics of birds are features that have promise as biomarkers for EACs: they are readily |
| | visible, measurements can be made without killing the bird, aspects of plumage (coloration and |
| | pattern) and the color of soft parts are under some degree of hormonal control and often these |
| | characters are crucial to reproductive success through courtship and mating. There is useful |
| | information extant on the hormonal control of molting schedules in many bird species, and |
| | important but less extensive information on the control of color and patterning of plumage and bills |
| | and other dermal structures. More information on the degree of hormonal control of avian |
| | secondary sexual characteristics, and the sensitivity to known EDCs is needed before these can |
| | be useful biomarkers in birds. This project will develop measures for plumage, soft parts (bill and |
| | dermal structures) color and pattern in American kestrels (Falco sparverius). In addition, |
| | experiments will characterize the effects of both steroid hormones and EACs on plumage and soft |
| | parts in species from two different groups of birds: one that develops secondary sexual |
| | characteristics in advance of breeding (i.e. has an alternate plumage) and one that does not (i.e. |
| | has only a basic plumage). These two groups of birds differ in the hormonal control of their |
| | plumage. |
| | Keywords | birds, contaminants, endocrine disruptors, human impacts, kestrels, toxicology, |
| | Principal | John B French, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center: john_b_french@usgs.gov; |
| | Investigators |
Return to SIS Projects Listing
